Goal: Don’t censor woman’s empowering TEDx speech just because she mentions being physically abused in the past.

Kristie Colón gave a talk for a TEDx event at the University of Kentucky on how to battle trauma through writing, but she reads a journal entry in which she speaks up about allegedly being abused by her ex-husband, although she reportedly did not name him at all. The video was scheduled to be published online until her ex-husband’s representative reportedly put a stop to it.

This is censorship. Just because the woman discusses being a victim of physical abuse doesn’t mean her video should not be published when she didn’t even name or hint at who the abuser was.

This form of censorship only perpetuates victim-blaming and shows victims that they’ll be punished for speaking up. Nothing justifies taking away this alleged victim’s right to free speech, especially when that speech could’ve been a life-saver to other victims of abuse who could’ve been inspired by her speech on writing to overcome trauma. Demand the University of Kentucky stop victim blaming and censoring this woman’s empowering speech.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mr. Burse,

We understand you’ve chosen to not publish a woman’s TEDx speech because she discussed being abused by her ex, who was allegedly part of the decision to have her message silenced. Her video didn’t identify anyone, so it’s sickening that you could censor her empowering message because she had the courage to speak up to help others.

By not publishing any of her talk you are only perpetuating victim blaming. Please find a way to work around this victim censorship and publish her video.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: TEDx

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